Tube clamp

ABSTRACT

Multiple layers of substantially parallel tubes are fastened to a structure which extends generally transversely to the tubes by two rows of opposed large blocks along the structure and two rows of opposed small blocks, the blocks of each row having at each end at staggered locations bolting lugs and the blocks in each row being terminally juxtaposed with the lugs overlapping. The mating faces of each pair of rows have tube-receiving recesses. The large blocks have anchor means (internally threaded holes) which receive the bolts which secure the small blocks. Each block has a pair of longitudinal flanges on the outer face (away from the mating face) to define a longitudinal recess. The large blocks are fastened to the structure by bolts which are anchored in the structure, extend through the bolting lugs, and have heads which lie above the outer faces of the second-row blocks, the heads being situated within the longitudinal recesses of the small blocks of the third row, which small blocks are nested between the longitudinal flanges of the second-row blocks.

United States Patent Girard 1 'Oct. 10, 1972 TUBE CLAMP [72] Inventor: Donald A. Girard, PO. Box 172, Rancho Cordova, Calif. 95670 [22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 96,868

[52] US. Cl ..248/68 CB [51] Int. Cl. ..Fl6l 3/10, F161 3/22 [58] Field of Search ..248/68 CB; 174/157 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,216,683 11/1965 Girard "248/68 CB 869,163 10/1907 Devine ..174/157 2,473,264 6/1949 Stevens ..174/ 157 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 407,152 9/1944 Italy ..248/68 CB Primary Examiner-Chancellor E. Harris Att0rney--Milmore & Cypher [57] ABSTRACT Multiple layers of substantially parallel tubes are fastened to a structure which extends generally transversely to the tubes by two rows of opposed large blocks along the structure and two rows of opposed small blocks, the blocks of each row having at each end at staggered locations bolting lugs and the blocks in each row being terminally juxtaposed with the lugs overlapping. The mating faces of each pair of rows have tube-receiving recesses. The large blocks have anchor means (internally threaded holes) which receive the bolts which secure the small blocks. Each block has a pair of longitudinal flanges on the outer face (away from the mating face) to define a longitudinal recess. The large blocks are fastened to the structure by bolts which are anchored in the structure, extend through the bolting lugs, and have heads which lie above the outer faces of the second-row blocks, the heads being situated within the longitudinal recesses of the small blocks of the third row, which small blocks are nested between the longitudinal flanges of the second-row blocks.

10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures P ATENTE D B 10 I973 3.697.027 'snmlurz DQNALD A GIRARD ma i W HIS ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHBI 10 1912 SHEET 2 0F 2 FIG. 7

FIG. IO

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INVENTOR:

FIG. l3 DONALD A. GIRARD HIS ATTORNEYS TUBE CLAMP The invention relates to tube clamps suitable for fastening tubes to a structure, and to a fastening device (including a plurality of clamps) for fastening to a structure a plurality of layers of tubes which lie at different distances from the structure.

Tubes carrying fluid or electrical wires are often installed in parallel and are of the same or of different diameters. To obviate the need to provide a large variety of clamps for securing various combinations of tubes differing in number and sube sizes, and to facilitate the use of only a few hold-down bolts, l have heretofore invented rigid clamps which can be formed of identical external outlines (save for the numbers and sizes of the transverse tube-receiving recesses); see U.S. Pat., Reissue No. 26,011, May 3, 1966. Two of such blocks, or two rows of terminally juxtaposed blocks are used to clamp the tubes, the blocks nearest to the structure being herein called the first blocks and the other blocks being inverted and herein called the second blocks.

Further, to facilitate fastening several layers of tubes, I have provided additional, usually smaller, blocks two opposed rows of which (herein called the third and fourth blocks, the third blocks being adjacent to the second blocks and the fourth blocks being inverted) are fastened by bolts extending through the additional blocks and anchored to the second blocks; see U.S. Pat. No. 3,I26,683,Nov. 9, I965.

Two difficulties in the installation and manufacture of the prior clamping blocks are: (I) It was difficult to position the blocks laterally relatively to another element, such as the structure or another clamping block of another row, so as to bring the bolt openings into proper alignment. (2) When additional blocks or rows of blocks were mounted on other blocks (as shown in the second-mentioned U.S. patent) it was necessary to counterbore the bolting openings at least on the outer faces of the second blocks, for receiving the heads on the hold-down bolts of the first two rows and thereby present an unobstructed surface on which the third-row blocks could be mounted.

These difficulties are obviated by the block construction of the present invention. In summary, each block has formed on the first face thereof longitudinal flange means spaced apart laterally and defining therebetween a longitudinal recess, the second face, which is opposite thereto, having at least one open, transverse, tube-receiving recess adapted to cooperate with an inverted block of similar shape for clampingly engaging at least one tube about most of its circumference, the block having openings for tension members situated on both sides of the transverse recess.

In use, the longitudinal recess receives another element, such as a ridge or projection on the structure, for positioning the block, or, when multiple layers of tubes are fastened, such as a part of a third block to position the latter laterally with respect to the first-mentioned block having the recess.

Moreover, when multiple layers of tubes are fastened by using four blocks or four rows of blocks, with the third blocks lying next to the. second blocks, the heads of the bolts which secure the first two blocks to the structure can lie within the recesses of the third blocks. This makes it simpler to manufacture the second blocks.

Although the present invention is not limited to any relation between the sizes of the several blocks (provided that the third-row have parts which fit into the recesses on the second-row blocks) it is preferred to make the thirdand fourth-row blocks smaller than and of slightly different construction from the others: Preferably, the firstand second-row blocks are wider than and twice as long as the thirdand fourth-row blocks, so that the latter can have uniform widths and still fit within the recesses of the second-row blocks, and a larger number of the blocks of the third and fourth rows can be mounted on the first two row blocks, usually for clamping smaller tubes. Further, the second-row blocks at least have anchoring means, such as two internally threaded holes, formed at suitable longitudinal intervals for securing the tension members of the thirdand fourth-row blocks piggy back.

Each block has a pair of bolting lugs projecting beyond the opposite ends thereof in staggered relation to the block faces to permit lugs on terminally juxtaposed blocks to overlie one another and these lugs have openings which are in alignment when the lugs are overlying, for receiving tension members.

Although blocks of like construction (save, preferably, for their sizes) can be used for all rows, preferably only the blocks of the first and second rows have anchoring means, and the lugs are formed differently:

1. On the large, firstand second-row blocks, the first lug is displaced away from the first face (which carries the flange means) and has a thickness less than that of the block, advantageously extending to the second block face. The second lug has one surface thereof substantially coplanar with the base of the longitudinal recess and is situated bodily toward the second face of the block, its thickness being advantageously such that overlying lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks are in touching relation. Thereby the recess has its base open at both ends, to permit the smaller blocks to he slid along it.

2. On the small, thirdand fourth-row blocks, the longitudinal recess is preferably open at only one end and the first lug is situated at the open end, has one face thereof substantially coplanar with the base of the longitudinal recess, and is situated bodily between the said plane and the second block face, advantageously extending to the latter face. The second lug has one face thereof also substantially coplanar with the said base and is situated bodily away from the second face of the block, extending advantageously as far as the flange means, thereby closing one end of the recess.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show one exemplary embodiment, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of parts of the fastening device, certain tubes and clamping blocks being omitted for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section, taken transversely to the tubes of FIG. 1 and drawn to a reduced scale, certain parts being omitted;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of one of the small blocks;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of the left side of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are, respectively, a plan and a bottom plan of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of the. block, taken on the line 7-7 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevation of the right side of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevation of one of the large blocks;

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are, respectively, an elevation of the left side of FIG. 9, a plan, and an elevation of the right end of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal section of the block taken on the line 1313ofFlG. 11.

Referring to the drawings, especially FIGS. 1 and 2, a structure 15, such as a fixed support, optionally has a raised tongue 16, and has longitudinally equidistant anchor means, such as internally threaded holes 17. A first row of terminally juxtaposed large blocks 18a, 18b, etc., is mounted on the structure and a second row of like and similarly juxtaposed but inverted blocks 18c, 18d, etc., is mounted on the first row. These blocks are secured to the structure by tension members, such as bolts 19, which extend through aligned openings in the overlying bolting lugs 20 and 21 of the blocks and engage the threads in the holes 17. As shown, each bolt 19 passes through at least two lugs of corresponding blocks, all save those at the ends of the rows passing through four bolting lugs, and the lugs are preferably of such thickness that all four are stacked in touching relation to each other and to the tongue 16. Tubes, such as the tubes 22 and 23, are clamped between corresponding blocks within transverse recesses 24, of which there may be one or more in each block.

A third row of terminally juxtaposed, small blocks 25a, 25b, 25c, etc., is mounted on the second row blocks, and a fourth row of like and similarly juxtaposed but inverted blocks 25d, 25e, 25f, etc., is mounted on the third-row blocks, fastened by tension members, such as bolts 26, which extend through aligned openings in the overlying bolting lugs 27 and 28 and are anchored in internally threaded holes 29 or equivalent anchoring means in the second-row blocks. Again, each interior bolt 26 extends through four bolting lugs which are preferably in touching relation, and the two exterior bolts extend through only two of such lugs. Tubes, such as smaller-diameter tubes 30, 31 and 32, are clamped within transverse recesses 33, of which there may be one or more formed in the opposed small blocks.

The construction of the large blocks 18 is shown in FIGS. a-13.Each block has a first face 34 and a second face 35. For lightness and to grip the tubes along narrow bands, to facilitate deformation of the tubes, each block is preferably hollow, providing longitudinal side walls 36 and 37, the second face 35 being defined by the edges of these walls, which are formed with the transverse, tube-receiving recesses 24. These open recesses may be shaped as arcs of a circle the center of curvature of which is situated slightly outside of the plane of the face 35, as is described in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,683.

Extending outwardly from the first face 34 is a pair of longitudinal flanges 38, 39, which are laterally spaced apart and define between them a longitudinal recess the base of which is situated at the plane of the first face 34. At one end of the block is the first bolting lug 20, which is displaced away from the first face 34 and extends to the face 35, i.e., being of a thickness less than the height of the block. Extending beyond the other end of the block is the second bolting lug 21, which has one face thereof substantially coplanar with the base of the longitudinal recess (which base is the same as the'face 34) and is situated bodily toward the second face 35, having a thickness such that it and the lug 20 together have a combined thickness equal to the height of the block between the said faces thereof, whereby first and second lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks of like shape can overlie one another. As shown, the longitudinal recess between the flanges 38 and 39 is open at both ends of the block. The two lugs are narrower than the width of the block, so that each can fit into a vertical recess 40 or 41, formed at the opposite ends of the block to permit terminally juxtaposed blocks to be interlocked against relative lateral displacement. The lugs 20 and 21 have formed therein openings 42 or 43, extending therethrough substantially perpendicularly to the block faces, at locations to be in alignment when different blocks are terminally juxtaposed.

The face 34 carries anchor means, such as the internally threaded holes 29. in the embodiment illustrated, the distance between the center lines'of these holes is exactly one-half of that between the openings 42 and 43.

The small blocks, shown in FIGS. 3 8, are similarly shaped except for the bolting lugs and the absence of the holes 29. Thus, they have hollow interiors enclosed by longitudinal side walls 44 and 45, and each block has a first face 46 and a second face 47 defined by the edges of the side walls, the latter containing the transverse recesses 32 which are preferably shaped as are the recesses 24. Each block further has a pair of longitudinal flanges 48 and 49 defining between them a longitudinal recess the base of which is coplanar with the face 46.

The first bolting lug 27 extends beyond one end of the block and has one face thereof coplanar with the base of the longitudinal recess (which is the same as the face 46). It is situated bodily toward the second face 47, preferably extending fully thereto as shown. The second lug 28, which extends beyond the other end of the block, has one face substantially coplanar with the said base of the longitudinal recess and is situated bodily away from the block face 47 preferably extending as far in thickness as the limits of the flanges 48 and 49. Thereby the combined thickness of the two lugs is equal to the total height of the block, including the flanges, and the first and second lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks of like shape can overlie one another. It is apparent that the second lug 28 closes one end of the recess between the flanges 48 and 49. The two lugs are narrower than the width of the block, so that the first lug 27 can fit into a vertical recess 50 of a terminally juxtaposed block, which recess is formed at the opposite end of the block. The second lug 28 is also narrow and is long enough to fit into the recess between the flanges 48 and 49 of a terminally juxtaposed block while leaving a part of that recess unoccupied. Thereby the lugs interlock terminally juxtaposed blocks against relative lateral displacement. The lugs 27 and 28 have formed therein openings 51 and 52 which extend therethrough substantially perpendicularly to the block faces, at locations to be in alignment when different blocks are terminally juxtaposed.

As is evident from FIGS. 1 and 2, the blocks 18a and 18b of the first row can receive the tongue 16 (when provided) of the supporting structure between the flanges 38 and 39, for positioning the blocks laterally. The longitudinal recesses being open at both ends, the blocks can be slid along the support. The bottom parts of the small blocks 25a-25c fit with a small clearance between the flanges 38 and 39 of the second-row blocks 18c, 18d, to position the smaller blocks laterally, these small blocks being able to slide longitudinally. The portions of the longitudinal recesses of the thirdrow blocks 25a-25c receive the heads 53 of the bolts 19, permitting these heads to lie above the faces 34 of the second-row blocks.

The holes 29 of the first-row blocks are not used, but are usually present to permit the first and second blocks to be identical.

The blocks may be made of metal or a metallic alloy, or of a plastic material.

lclaim:

1. In a device for fastening one or more tubes to a structure, a rigid block having opposite first and second faces adapted to lie, respectively, toward and away from the said structure,

a. said first face having extending outwardly therefrom longitudinal flange means spaced apart laterally and defining between them a longitudinal recess having a base which is recessed from said flange means, said second face being flat save for the open recess defined herein and having at least one transverse open recess adapted to cooperate with a corresponding recess in an inverted block of similar shape for clampinly engaging a tube about most of its circumference when the blocks are drawn together by tension members on the sides of the transverse recess,

c. said block having extending therethrough at each side of the transverse recess substantially perpendicularly to said faces, openings of dimensions to receive the shanks of said tension members.

2. A rigid block as defined in claim 1 wherein the base of said recess is flat between said longitudinal flange means.

3. A fastening block according to claim 1 which includes:

a. a first bolting lug extending beyond one end of the block and displaced bodily away from said first face toward the second block face, said lug having a thickness less than the thickness of the block between said faces, and

b. a second bolting lug extending beyond the other end of the block having one surface thereof substantially coplanar with the base of the longitudinal recess, said second lug being situated bodily toward said second block face and having a thickness such that the first and second lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks of like shapes can overlie one another and said longitudinal recess being open at least at one end of the block adjacent to the second lug,

c. said openings being situated in the bolting lugs at locations to place into alignment the openings in different overlying lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks.

4. A connection between a tube and a structure,

which comprises:

a. a first block constructed as defined in claim I having the first face thereof directed toward the structure,

b. a second block having an open, transverse, tubereceiving recess formed in a face thereof which is directed toward the first block and having openings for tension members on each side of the transverse recess,

c. a plurality of tension members extending through the openings of the first and second blocks, each tension member being anchored in the structure, and

d. at least one tube clamped between the opposed blocks and situated partly within each of the transverse recesses.

-5. A connection according to claim 4 wherein the base of the recess on the first block is flat between said longitudinal flange means and said structure is shaped to provide a part having a flat surface which extends into the longitudinal recess of the first block and has a lateral dimension equal to the major part of the width of the recess for positioning the block laterally with respect to the structure.

6. A fastening block according to claim 1 wherein said longitudinal recess is open at only one end of the block and said block is shaped to provide, at the other end thereof, a closure extending outwardly from said base of the recess.

7. A fastening block according to claim 1 wherein the base of the recess is flat between said longitudinal flange means and which includes:

a. a first bolting lug extending beyond one end of the block at which said longitudinal recess is open, said lug having one face thereof substantially coplanar with the plane of said recess base and being situated bodily away from said base plane toward the second block face, and

b. a second bolting lug extending beyond the other end of the block and having one face thereof substantially coplanar with said base plane, said second lug being situated bodily away from said base plane in a direction away from said second block face and having a thickness such that the first and second lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks of like shapes can overlie one another,

- c. said openings being situated in the bolting lugs at locations to place into alignment the openings in different overlying lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks.

8. A connection fastening a plurality of substantially parallel tubes to a structure which extends generally transversely to the tubes, comprising:

a. a first and a second row of terminally juxtaposed, rigid blocks arranged in corresponding positions, the outer faces of the first-row blocks being toward and in abutment with said structure and the corresponding blocks of both rows having mating faces which contain open, transverse, tube-receiving recesses, each block having extending therethrough on each side of the transverse recess an opening for a tension member, and first tension members extending through said openings and anchored in said structure urging said corresponding blocks together to clamp a tube partly within each of the transverse recesses, said first tension members having heads which project beyond the clamp'a tube partly within each of the transverse outer faces of the second-row blocks, said secondrecesses thereof.

row blocks being formed to provide anchoring 9. A connection according to claim 8 wherein:

means, a. said second-row blocks have their outer faces b. a third row Of terminally juxtaposed blOCkS conformed with longitudinal flange means extending structed as defined in claim 1 having their first outwardly th f m and d fini between h a faces toward the second-row blocks, the heads of longitudinal recess, and

the first tension members being Positioned Within b. said third-row blocks have at least a part thereof said longitudinal recesses of the third-row blocks,

c. a fourth row of terminally juxtaposed rigid blocks 10 situated in correspondence with the third-row blocks and having open, transverse, tube-receiving recesses in the faces thereof which are toward the third-row blocks, and openings for tension memsituated between said longitudinal flange means for positioning the third-row blocks laterally. 10. A connection according to claim 9 wherein the blocks of each of said four rows have bolting lugs extending beyond the ends of the respective blocks and bers on each Side of the transverse recesses and l 5 situated in staggered relation relatively to the faces of (1. second tension members extending through the i lugs termmany f f biotfks openings of corresponding thirdqo, and fourth being In overlying relation and the said openings being row blocks and anchored in said anchoring means mated m Said boltmg and urging said corresponding blocks together to 

1. In a device for fastening one or more tubes to a structure, a rigid block having opposite first and second faces adapted to lie, respectively, toward and away from the said structure, a. said first face having extending outwardly therefrom longitudinal flange means spaced apart laterally and defining between them a longitudinal recess having a base which is recessed from said flange means, b. said second face being flat save for the open recess defined herein and having at least one transverse open recess adapted to cooperate with a corresponding recess in an inverted block of similar shape for clampinly engaging a tube about most of its circumference when the blocks are drawn together by tension members on the sides of the transverse recess, c. said block having extending therethrough at each side of the transverse recess substantially perpendicularly to said faces, openings of dimensions to receive the shanks of said tension members.
 2. A rigid block as defined in claim 1 wherein the base of said recess is flat between said longitudinal flange means.
 3. A fastening block according to claim 1 which includes: a. a first bolting lug extending beyond one end of the block and displaced bodily away from said first face toward the second block face, said lug having a thickness less than the thickness of the block between said faces, and b. a second bolting lug extending beyond the other end of the block having one surface thereof substantially coplanar with the base of the longitudinal recess, said second lug being situated bodily toward said second block face and having a thickness such that the first and second lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks of like shapes can overlie one another and said longitudinal recess being open at least at one end of the block adjacent to the second lug, c. said openings being situated in the bolting lugs at locations to place into alignment the openings in different overlying lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks.
 4. A connection between a tube and a structure, which comprises: a. a first block constructed as defined in claim 1 having the first face thereof directed toward the structure, b. a second block having an open, transverse, tube-receiving recess formed in a face thereof which is directed toward the first block and having openings for tension members on each side of the transverse recess, c. a plurality of tension members extending through the openings of the first and second blocks, each tension member being anchored in the structure, and d. at least one tube clamped between the opposed blocks and situated partly within each of the transverse recesses.
 5. A connection according to claim 4 wherein the base of the recess on the first block is flat between said longitudinal flange means and said structure is shaped to provide a part having a flat surface which extends into the longitudinal recess of the first block and has a lateral dimension equal to the major part of the width of the recess for positioning the block laterally with respect to the structure.
 6. A fastening block according to claim 1 wherein said longitudinal recess is open at only one end of the block and said block is shaped to provide, at the other end thereof, a closure extending outwardly from said base of the recess.
 7. A fastening block according to claim 1 wherein the base of the recess is flat between said longitudinal flange means and which includes: a. a first bolting lug extending beyond one end of the block at which said longitudinal recess is open, said lug having one face thereof substantially coplanar with the plane of said recess base and being situated bodily away from said base plane toward the second block face, and b. a second bolting lug extending beyond the other end of the block and having one face thereof substantially coplanar with said base plane, said second lug being situated bodily away from said base plane in a direction away from said secOnd block face and having a thickness such that the first and second lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks of like shapes can overlie one another, c. said openings being situated in the bolting lugs at locations to place into alignment the openings in different overlying lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks.
 8. A connection fastening a plurality of substantially parallel tubes to a structure which extends generally transversely to the tubes, comprising: a. a first and a second row of terminally juxtaposed, rigid blocks arranged in corresponding positions, the outer faces of the first-row blocks being toward and in abutment with said structure and the corresponding blocks of both rows having mating faces which contain open, transverse, tube-receiving recesses, each block having extending therethrough on each side of the transverse recess an opening for a tension member, and first tension members extending through said openings and anchored in said structure urging said corresponding blocks together to clamp a tube partly within each of the transverse recesses, said first tension members having heads which project beyond the outer faces of the second-row blocks, said second-row blocks being formed to provide anchoring means, b. a third row of terminally juxtaposed blocks constructed as defined in claim 1 having their first faces toward the second-row blocks, the heads of the first tension members being positioned within said longitudinal recesses of the third-row blocks, c. a fourth row of terminally juxtaposed rigid blocks situated in correspondence with the third-row blocks and having open, transverse, tube-receiving recesses in the faces thereof which are toward the third-row blocks, and openings for tension members on each side of the transverse recesses, and d. second tension members extending through the openings of corresponding third-row and fourth-row blocks and anchored in said anchoring means and urging said corresponding blocks together to clamp a tube partly within each of the transverse recesses thereof.
 9. A connection according to claim 8 wherein: a. said second-row blocks have their outer faces formed with longitudinal flange means extending outwardly therefrom and defining between them a longitudinal recess, and b. said third-row blocks have at least a part thereof situated between said longitudinal flange means for positioning the third-row blocks laterally.
 10. A connection according to claim 9 wherein the blocks of each of said four rows have bolting lugs extending beyond the ends of the respective blocks and situated in staggered relation relatively to the faces of the blocks, the lugs of terminally juxtaposed blocks being in overlying relation and the said openings being situated in said bolting lugs. 